path: root/doc/cvs.1

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.\"                     Derek R. Price, & Ximbiot <http://ximbiot.com>.
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.de Id
.ds Rv \\$3
.ds Dt \\$4
..
.TH CVS 1 "\*(Dt"
.\" Full space in nroff; half space in troff
.de SP
.if n .sp
.if t .sp .5
..
.\" quoted command
.de `
.RB ` "\|\\$1\|" '\\$2
..
.SH "NAME"
cvs \- Concurrent Versions System
.SH "SYNOPSIS"
.TP
\fBcvs\fP [ \fIcvs_options\fP ]
.I cvs_command
[
.I command_options
] [
.I command_args
]
.SH "NOTE"
.IX "revision control system" "\fLcvs\fR"
.IX  cvs  ""  "\fLcvs\fP \- concurrent versions system"
.IX  "concurrent versions system \- \fLcvs\fP"
.IX  "release control system"  "cvs command"  ""  "\fLcvs\fP \- concurrent versions system"
.IX  "source control system"  "cvs command"  ""  "\fLcvs\fP \- concurrent versions system"
.IX  revisions  "cvs command"  ""  "\fLcvs\fP \- source control"
This manpage is a summary of some of the features of
\fBcvs\fP.  It is auto-generated from an appendix of the CVS manual.
For more in-depth documentation, please consult the
Cederqvist manual (via the
.B info CVS
command or otherwise,
as described in the SEE ALSO section of this manpage).  Cross-references
in this man page refer to nodes in the same.
.SH "CVS commands"
.SS "Guide to CVS commands"
.SP
This appendix describes the overall structure of
\fBcvs\fR commands, and describes some commands in
detail (others are described elsewhere; for a quick
reference to \fBcvs\fR commands, see node `Invoking CVS\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.SH "Structure"
.SS "Overall structure of CVS commands"
.IX "Structure"
.IX "CVS command structure"
.IX "Command structure"
.IX "Format of CVS commands"
.SP
The overall format of all \fBcvs\fR commands is:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs [ cvs_options ] cvs_command [ command_options ] [ command_args ]

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBcvs\fR
.IP "" 2
The name of the \fBcvs\fR program.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBcvs_options\fR
.IP "" 2
Some options that affect all sub-commands of \fBcvs\fR.  These are
described below.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBcvs_command\fR
.IP "" 2
One of several different sub-commands.  Some of the commands have
aliases that can be used instead; those aliases are noted in the
reference manual for that command.  There are only two situations
where you may omit \fBcvs_command\fR: \fBcvs -H\fR elicits a
list of available commands, and \fBcvs -v\fR displays version
information on \fBcvs\fR itself.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBcommand_options\fR
.IP "" 2
Options that are specific for the command.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBcommand_args\fR
.IP "" 2
Arguments to the commands.
.SP
There is unfortunately some confusion between
\fBcvs_options\fR and \fBcommand_options\fR.
When given as a \fBcvs_option\fR, some options only
affect some of the commands.  When given as a
\fBcommand_option\fR it may have a different meaning, and
be accepted by more commands.  In other words, do not
take the above categorization too seriously.  Look at
the documentation instead.
.SP
.SH "Exit status"
.SS "CVS\(aqs exit status"
.IX "Exit status, of CVS"
.SP
\fBcvs\fR can indicate to the calling environment whether it
succeeded or failed by setting its \fIexit status\fR.
The exact way of testing the exit status will vary from
one operating system to another.  For example in a unix
shell script the \fB$?\fR variable will be 0 if the
last command returned a successful exit status, or
greater than 0 if the exit status indicated failure.
.SP
If \fBcvs\fR is successful, it returns a successful status;
if there is an error, it prints an error message and
returns a failure status.  The one exception to this is
the \fBcvs diff\fR command.  It will return a
successful status if it found no differences, or a
failure status if there were differences or if there
was an error.  Because this behavior provides no good
way to detect errors, in the future it is possible that
\fBcvs diff\fR will be changed to behave like the
other \fBcvs\fR commands.
.SP
.SH "~/.cvsrc"
.SS "Default options and the ~/.cvsrc file"
.IX "\&.cvsrc file"
.IX "Option defaults"
.SP
There are some \fBcommand_options\fR that are used so
often that you might have set up an alias or some other
means to make sure you always specify that option.  One
example (the one that drove the implementation of the
\fB.cvsrc\fR support, actually) is that many people find the
default output of the \fBdiff\fR command to be very
hard to read, and that either context diffs or unidiffs
are much easier to understand.
.SP
The \fB~/.cvsrc\fR file is a way that you can add
default options to \fBcvs_commands\fR within cvs,
instead of relying on aliases or other shell scripts.
.SP
The format of the \fB~/.cvsrc\fR file is simple.  The
file is searched for a line that begins with the same
name as the \fBcvs_command\fR being executed.  If a
match is found, then the remainder of the line is split
up (at whitespace characters) into separate options and
added to the command arguments \fIbefore\fR any
options from the command line.
.SP
If a command has two names (e.g., \fBcheckout\fR and
\fBco\fR), the official name, not necessarily the one
used on the command line, will be used to match against
the file.  So if this is the contents of the user\(aqs
\fB~/.cvsrc\fR file:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
log -N
.IP "" 2
diff -uN
.IP "" 2
rdiff -u
.IP "" 2
update -Pd
.IP "" 2
checkout -P
.IP "" 2
release -d

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
the command \fBcvs checkout foo\fR would have the
\fB-P\fR option added to the arguments, as well as
\fBcvs co foo\fR.
.SP
With the example file above, the output from \fBcvs
diff foobar\fR will be in unidiff format.  \fBcvs diff
-c foobar\fR will provide context diffs, as usual.
Getting "old" format diffs would be slightly more
complicated, because \fBdiff\fR doesn\(aqt have an option
to specify use of the "old" format, so you would need
\fBcvs -f diff foobar\fR.
.SP
In place of the command name you can use \fBcvs\fR to
specify global options (see node `Global options\(aq in the CVS manual).  For
example the following line in \fB.cvsrc\fR
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs -z6

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
causes \fBcvs\fR to use compression level 6.
.SP
.SH "Global options"
.IX "Options, global"
.IX "Global options"
.IX "Left-hand options"
.SP
The available \fBcvs_options\fR (that are given to the
left of \fBcvs_command\fR) are:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--allow-root=\fIrootdir\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
May be invoked multiple times to specify one legal \fBcvsroot\fR directory with
each invocation.  Also causes CVS to preparse the configuration file for each
specified root, which can be useful when configuring write proxies,  See
see node `Password authentication server\(aq in the CVS manual & see node `Write proxies\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IX "Authentication, stream"
.IX "Stream authentication"
.IP "" 0
\fB-a\fR
.IP "" 2
Authenticate all communication between the client and
the server.  Only has an effect on the \fBcvs\fR client.
As of this writing, this is only implemented when using
a GSSAPI connection (see node `GSSAPI authenticated\(aq in the CVS manual).
Authentication prevents certain sorts of attacks
involving hijacking the active \fBtcp\fR connection.
Enabling authentication does not enable encryption.
.SP
.IX "RCSBIN, overriding"
.IX "Overriding RCSBIN"
.IP "" 0
\fB-b \fIbindir\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
In \fBcvs\fR 1.9.18 and older, this specified that
\fBrcs\fR programs are in the \fIbindir\fR directory.
Current versions of \fBcvs\fR do not run \fBrcs\fR
programs; for compatibility this option is accepted,
but it does nothing.
.SP
.IX "TMPDIR, environment variable"
.IX "temporary file directory, set via command line"
.IX "temporary file directory, set via environment variable"
.IX "temporary file directory, set via config"
.IX "temporary files, location of"
.IP "" 0
\fB-T \fItempdir\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fItempdir\fR as the directory where temporary files are
located.
.SP
The \fBcvs\fR client and server store temporary files in a temporary directory.
The path to this temporary directory is set via, in order of precedence:
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 4
The argument to the global \fB-T\fR option.
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 4
The value set for \fBTmpDir\fR in the config file (server only -
see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 4
The contents of the \fB$TMPDIR\fR environment variable (\fB%TMPDIR%\fR on
Windows - see node `Environment variables\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 4
/tmp
.SP
.SP
Temporary directories should always be specified as an absolute pathname.
When running a CVS client, \fB-T\fR affects only the local process;
specifying \fB-T\fR for the client has no effect on the server and
vice versa.
.SP
.IX "CVSROOT, overriding"
.IX "Overriding CVSROOT"
.IP "" 0
\fB-d \fIcvs_root_directory\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIcvs_root_directory\fR as the root directory
pathname of the repository.  Overrides the setting of
the \fB$CVSROOT\fR environment variable.  see node `Repository\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IX "EDITOR, overriding"
.IX "Overriding EDITOR"
.IP "" 0
\fB-e \fIeditor\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIeditor\fR to enter revision log information.  Overrides the
setting of the \fB$CVSEDITOR\fR and \fB$EDITOR\fR
environment variables.  For more information, see
see node `Committing your changes\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not read the \fB~/.cvsrc\fR file.  This
option is most often used because of the
non-orthogonality of the \fBcvs\fR option set.  For
example, the \fBcvs log\fR option \fB-N\fR (turn off
display of tag names) does not have a corresponding
option to turn the display on.  So if you have
\fB-N\fR in the \fB~/.cvsrc\fR entry for \fBlog\fR,
you may need to use \fB-f\fR to show the tag names.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-H\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--help\fR
.IP "" 2
Display usage information about the specified \fBcvs_command\fR
(but do not actually execute the command).  If you don\(aqt specify
a command name, \fBcvs -H\fR displays overall help for
\fBcvs\fR, including a list of other help options.
.SP
.IX "Read-only repository mode"
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Turns on read-only repository mode.  This allows one to check out from a
read-only repository, such as within an anoncvs server, or from a \fBcd-rom\fR
repository.
.SP
Same effect as if the \fBCVSREADONLYFS\fR environment
variable is set. Using \fB-R\fR can also considerably
speed up checkouts over NFS.
.SP
.IX "Read-only mode"
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not change any files.  Attempt to execute the
\fBcvs_command\fR, but only to issue reports; do not remove,
update, or merge any existing files, or create any new files.
.SP
Note that \fBcvs\fR will not necessarily produce exactly
the same output as without \fB-n\fR.  In some cases
the output will be the same, but in other cases
\fBcvs\fR will skip some of the processing that would
have been required to produce the exact same output.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-Q\fR
.IP "" 2
Cause the command to be really quiet; the command will only
generate output for serious problems.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-q\fR
.IP "" 2
Cause the command to be somewhat quiet; informational messages,
such as reports of recursion through subdirectories, are
suppressed.
.SP
.IX "Read-only files, and -r"
.IP "" 0
\fB-r\fR
.IP "" 2
Make new working files read-only.  Same effect
as if the \fB$CVSREAD\fR environment variable is set
(see node `Environment variables\(aq in the CVS manual).  The default is to
make working files writable, unless watches are on
(see node `Watches\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-s \fIvariable\fB=\fIvalue\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Set a user variable (see node `Variables\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IX "Trace"
.IP "" 0
\fB-t\fR
.IP "" 2
Trace program execution; display messages showing the steps of
\fBcvs\fR activity.  Particularly useful with \fB-n\fR to explore the
potential impact of an unfamiliar command.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-v\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--version\fR
.IP "" 2
Display version and copyright information for \fBcvs\fR.
.SP
.IX "CVSREAD, overriding"
.IX "Overriding CVSREAD"
.IP "" 0
\fB-w\fR
.IP "" 2
Make new working files read-write.  Overrides the
setting of the \fB$CVSREAD\fR environment variable.
Files are created read-write by default, unless \fB$CVSREAD\fR is
set or \fB-r\fR is given.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-x\fR
.IP "" 2
.IX "Encryption"
Encrypt all communication between the client and the
server.  Only has an effect on the \fBcvs\fR client.  As
of this writing, this is only implemented when using a
GSSAPI connection (see node `GSSAPI authenticated\(aq in the CVS manual) or a
Kerberos connection (see node `Kerberos authenticated\(aq in the CVS manual).
Enabling encryption implies that message traffic is
also authenticated.  Encryption support is not
available by default; it must be enabled using a
special configure option, \fB--enable-encryption\fR,
when you build \fBcvs\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-z \fIlevel\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IX "Compression"
.IX "Gzip"
Request compression \fIlevel\fR for network traffic.
\fBcvs\fR interprets \fIlevel\fR identically to the \fBgzip\fR program.
Valid levels are 1 (high speed, low compression) to
9 (low speed, high compression), or 0 to disable
compression (the default).  Data sent to the server will
be compressed at the requested level and the client will request
the server use the same compression level for data returned.  The
server will use the closest level allowed by the server administrator to
compress returned data.  This option only has an effect when passed to
the \fBcvs\fR client.
.SP
.SH "Common options"
.SS "Common command options"
.IX "Common options"
.IX "Right-hand options"
.SP
This section describes the \fBcommand_options\fR that
are available across several \fBcvs\fR commands.  These
options are always given to the right of
\fBcvs_command\fR. Not all
commands support all of these options; each option is
only supported for commands where it makes sense.
However, when a command has one of these options you
can almost always count on the same behavior of the
option as in other commands.  (Other command options,
which are listed with the individual commands, may have
different behavior from one \fBcvs\fR command to the other).
.SP
\fBNote: the \fBhistory\fB command is an exception; it supports
many options that conflict even with these standard options.\fR
.SP
.IX "Dates"
.IX "Time"
.IX "Specifying dates"
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate_spec\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate_spec\fR.
\fIdate_spec\fR is a single argument, a date description
specifying a date in the past.
.SP
The specification is \fIsticky\fR when you use it to make a
private copy of a source file; that is, when you get a working
file using \fB-D\fR, \fBcvs\fR records the date you specified, so that
further updates in the same directory will use the same date
(for more information on sticky tags/dates, see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
\fB-D\fR is available with the \fBannotate\fR, \fBcheckout\fR,
\fBdiff\fR, \fBexport\fR, \fBhistory\fR, \fBls\fR,
\fBrdiff\fR, \fBrls\fR, \fBrtag\fR, \fBtag\fR, and \fBupdate\fR commands.
(The \fBhistory\fR command uses this option in a
slightly different way; see node `history options\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
For a complete description of the date formats accepted by \fBcvs\fR,
see node `Date input formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
Remember to quote the argument to the \fB-D\fR
flag so that your shell doesn\(aqt interpret spaces as
argument separators.  A command using the \fB-D\fR
flag can look like this:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 4
$ cvs diff -D "1 hour ago" cvs.texinfo

.PD
.IP "" 2
.SP
.IX "Forcing a tag match"
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
When you specify a particular date or tag to \fBcvs\fR commands, they
normally ignore files that do not contain the tag (or did not
exist prior to the date) that you specified.  Use the \fB-f\fR option
if you want files retrieved even when there is no match for the
tag or date.  (The most recent revision of the file
will be used).
.SP
Note that even with \fB-f\fR, a tag that you specify
must exist (that is, in some file, not necessary in
every file).  This is so that \fBcvs\fR will continue to
give an error if you mistype a tag name.
.SP
\fB-f\fR is available with these commands:
\fBannotate\fR, \fBcheckout\fR, \fBexport\fR,
\fBrdiff\fR, \fBrtag\fR, and \fBupdate\fR.
.SP
\fBWARNING:  The \fBcommit\fB and \fBremove\fB
commands also have a
\fB-f\fB option, but it has a different behavior for
those commands.  See see node `commit options\(aq in the CVS manual, and
see node `Removing files\(aq in the CVS manual.\fR
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIkflag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Override the default processing of RCS keywords other than
\fB-kb\fR.  see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual, for the meaning of
\fIkflag\fR.  Used with the \fBcheckout\fR and \fBupdate\fR
commands, your \fIkflag\fR specification is
\fIsticky\fR; that is, when you use this option
with a \fBcheckout\fR or \fBupdate\fR command,
\fBcvs\fR associates your selected \fIkflag\fR with any files
it operates on, and continues to use that \fIkflag\fR with future
commands on the same files until you specify otherwise.
.SP
The \fB-k\fR option is available with the \fBadd\fR,
\fBcheckout\fR, \fBdiff\fR, \fBexport\fR, \fBimport\fR,
\fBrdiff\fR, and \fBupdate\fR commands.
.SP
\fBWARNING: Prior to CVS version 1.12.2, the \fB-k\fB flag
overrode the \fB-kb\fB indication for a binary file.  This could
sometimes corrupt binary files.  see node `Merging and keywords\(aq in the CVS manual, for
more.\fR
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory, rather than
recursing through subdirectories.
.SP
Available with the following commands: \fBannotate\fR, \fBcheckout\fR,
\fBcommit\fR, \fBdiff\fR, \fBedit\fR, \fBeditors\fR, \fBexport\fR,
\fBlog\fR, \fBrdiff\fR, \fBremove\fR, \fBrtag\fR,
\fBstatus\fR, \fBtag\fR, \fBunedit\fR, \fBupdate\fR, \fBwatch\fR,
and \fBwatchers\fR.
.SP
.IX "Editor, avoiding invocation of"
.IX "Avoiding editor invocation"
.IP "" 0
\fB-m \fImessage\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fImessage\fR as log information, instead of
invoking an editor.
.SP
Available with the following commands: \fBadd\fR,
\fBcommit\fR and \fBimport\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not run any tag program.  (A program can be
specified to run in the modules
database (see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual); this option bypasses it).
.SP
\fBNote: this is not the same as the \fBcvs -n\fB
program option, which you can specify to the left of a cvs command!\fR
.SP
Available with the \fBcheckout\fR, \fBcommit\fR, \fBexport\fR,
and \fBrtag\fR commands.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-P\fR
.IP "" 2
Prune empty directories.  See see node `Removing directories\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-p\fR
.IP "" 2
Pipe the files retrieved from the repository to standard output,
rather than writing them in the current directory.  Available
with the \fBcheckout\fR and \fBupdate\fR commands.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Process directories recursively.  This is the default for all \fBcvs\fR
commands, with the exception of \fBls\fR & \fBrls\fR.
.SP
Available with the following commands: \fBannotate\fR, \fBcheckout\fR,
\fBcommit\fR, \fBdiff\fR, \fBedit\fR, \fBeditors\fR, \fBexport\fR,
\fBls\fR, \fBrdiff\fR, \fBremove\fR, \fBrls\fR, \fBrtag\fR,
\fBstatus\fR, \fBtag\fR, \fBunedit\fR, \fBupdate\fR, \fBwatch\fR,
and \fBwatchers\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
.IX "HEAD, special tag"
.IX "BASE, special tag"
Use the revision specified by the \fItag\fR argument (and the \fIdate\fR
argument for the commands which accept it) instead of the
default \fIhead\fR revision.  As well as arbitrary tags defined
with the \fBtag\fR or \fBrtag\fR command, two special tags are
always available: \fBHEAD\fR refers to the most recent version
available in the repository, and \fBBASE\fR refers to the
revision you last checked out into the current working directory.
.SP
The tag specification is sticky when you use this
with \fBcheckout\fR or \fBupdate\fR to make your own
copy of a file: \fBcvs\fR remembers the tag and continues to use it on
future update commands, until you specify otherwise (for more information
on sticky tags/dates, see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
The tag can be either a symbolic or numeric tag, as
described in see node `Tags\(aq in the CVS manual, or the name of a branch, as
described in see node `Branching and merging\(aq in the CVS manual.
When \fItag\fR is the name of a
branch, some commands accept the optional \fIdate\fR argument to specify
the revision as of the given date on the branch.
When a command expects a specific revision,
the name of a branch is interpreted as the most recent
revision on that branch.
.SP
Specifying the \fB-q\fR global option along with the
\fB-r\fR command option is often useful, to suppress
the warning messages when the \fBrcs\fR file
does not contain the specified tag.
.SP
\fBNote: this is not the same as the overall \fBcvs -r\fB option,
which you can specify to the left of a \fBcvs\fB command!\fR
.SP
\fB-r \fItag\fB\fR is available with the \fBcommit\fR and \fBhistory\fR
commands.
.SP
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR is available with the \fBannotate\fR,
\fBcheckout\fR, \fBdiff\fR, \fBexport\fR, \fBrdiff\fR, \fBrtag\fR,
and \fBupdate\fR commands.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-W\fR
.IP "" 2
Specify file names that should be filtered.  You can
use this option repeatedly.  The spec can be a file
name pattern of the same type that you can specify in
the \fB.cvswrappers\fR file.
Available with the following commands: \fBimport\fR,
and \fBupdate\fR.
.SP
.SP
.SH "admin"
.SS "Administration"
.IX "Admin (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository, working directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synonym: rcs
.SP
This is the \fBcvs\fR interface to assorted
administrative facilities.  Some of them have
questionable usefulness for \fBcvs\fR but exist for
historical purposes.  Some of the questionable options
are likely to disappear in the future.  This command
\fIdoes\fR work recursively, so extreme care should be
used.
.SP
.IX "cvsadmin"
.IX "UserAdminOptions, in CVSROOT/config"
On unix, if there is a group named \fBcvsadmin\fR,
only members of that group can run \fBcvs admin\fR
commands, except for those specified using the
\fBUserAdminOptions\fR configuration option in the
\fBCVSROOT/config\fR file.  Options specified using
\fBUserAdminOptions\fR can be run by any user.  See
see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual for more on \fBUserAdminOptions\fR.
.SP
The \fBcvsadmin\fR group should exist on the server,
or any system running the non-client/server \fBcvs\fR.
To disallow \fBcvs admin\fR for all users, create a
group with no users in it.  On NT, the \fBcvsadmin\fR
feature does not exist and all users
can run \fBcvs admin\fR.
.SP
.SH "admin options"
.SP
Some of these options have questionable usefulness for
\fBcvs\fR but exist for historical purposes.  Some even
make it impossible to use \fBcvs\fR until you undo the
effect!
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-A\fIoldfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Might not work together with \fBcvs\fR.  Append the
access list of \fIoldfile\fR to the access list of the
\fBrcs\fR file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-a\fIlogins\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Might not work together with \fBcvs\fR.  Append the
login names appearing in the comma-separated list
\fIlogins\fR to the access list of the \fBrcs\fR file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-b[\fIrev\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Set the default branch to \fIrev\fR.  In \fBcvs\fR, you
normally do not manipulate default branches; sticky
tags (see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual) are a better way to decide
which branch you want to work on.  There is one reason
to run \fBcvs admin -b\fR: to revert to the vendor\(aqs
version when using vendor branches (see node `Reverting
local changes\(aq in the CVS manual).
There can be no space between \fB-b\fR and its argument.
.SP
.IX "Comment leader"
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fIstring\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Sets the comment leader to \fIstring\fR.  The comment
leader is not used by current versions of \fBcvs\fR or
\fBrcs\fR 5.7.  Therefore, you can almost surely not
worry about it.  see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-e[\fIlogins\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Might not work together with \fBcvs\fR.  Erase the login
names appearing in the comma-separated list
\fIlogins\fR from the access list of the RCS file.  If
\fIlogins\fR is omitted, erase the entire access list.
There can be no space between \fB-e\fR and its argument.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-I\fR
.IP "" 2
Run interactively, even if the standard input is not a
terminal.  This option does not work with the
client/server \fBcvs\fR and is likely to disappear in
a future release of \fBcvs\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-i\fR
.IP "" 2
Useless with \fBcvs\fR.  This creates and initializes a
new \fBrcs\fR file, without depositing a revision.  With
\fBcvs\fR, add files with the \fBcvs add\fR command
(see node `Adding files\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k\fIsubst\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Set the default keyword
substitution to \fIsubst\fR.  see node `Keyword
substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.  Giving an explicit \fB-k\fR option to
\fBcvs update\fR, \fBcvs export\fR, or \fBcvs
checkout\fR overrides this default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l[\fIrev\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Lock the revision with number \fIrev\fR.  If a branch
is given, lock the latest revision on that branch.  If
\fIrev\fR is omitted, lock the latest revision on the
default branch.  There can be no space between
\fB-l\fR and its argument.
.SP
This can be used in conjunction with the
\fBrcslock.pl\fR script in the \fBcontrib\fR
directory of the \fBcvs\fR source distribution to
provide reserved checkouts (where only one user can be
editing a given file at a time).  See the comments in
that file for details (and see the \fBREADME\fR file
in that directory for disclaimers about the unsupported
nature of contrib).  According to comments in that
file, locking must set to strict (which is the default).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-L\fR
.IP "" 2
Set locking to strict.  Strict locking means that the
owner of an RCS file is not exempt from locking for
checkin.  For use with \fBcvs\fR, strict locking must be
set; see the discussion under the \fB-l\fR option above.
.SP
.IX "Changing a log message"
.IX "Replacing a log message"
.IX "Correcting a log message"
.IX "Fixing a log message"
.IX "Log message, correcting"
.IP "" 0
\fB-m\fIrev\fB:\fImsg\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Replace the log message of revision \fIrev\fR with
\fImsg\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-N\fIname\fB[:[\fIrev\fB]]\fR
.IP "" 2
Act like \fB-n\fR, except override any previous
assignment of \fIname\fR.  For use with magic branches,
see see node `Magic branch numbers\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fIname\fB[:[\fIrev\fB]]\fR
.IP "" 2
Associate the symbolic name \fIname\fR with the branch
or revision \fIrev\fR.  It is normally better to use
\fBcvs tag\fR or \fBcvs rtag\fR instead.  Delete the
symbolic name if both \fB:\fR and \fIrev\fR are
omitted; otherwise, print an error message if
\fIname\fR is already associated with another number.
If \fIrev\fR is symbolic, it is expanded before
association.  A \fIrev\fR consisting of a branch number
followed by a \fB.\fR stands for the current latest
revision in the branch.  A \fB:\fR with an empty
\fIrev\fR stands for the current latest revision on the
default branch, normally the trunk.  For example,
\fBcvs admin -n\fIname\fB:\fR associates \fIname\fR with the
current latest revision of all the RCS files;
this contrasts with \fBcvs admin -n\fIname\fB:$\fR which
associates \fIname\fR with the revision numbers
extracted from keyword strings in the corresponding
working files.
.SP
.IX "Deleting revisions"
.IX "Outdating revisions"
.IX "Saving space"
.IP "" 0
\fB-o\fIrange\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Deletes (\fIoutdates\fR) the revisions given by
\fIrange\fR.
.SP
Note that this command can be quite dangerous unless
you know \fIexactly\fR what you are doing (for example
see the warnings below about how the
\fIrev1\fR:\fIrev2\fR syntax is confusing).
.SP
If you are short on disc this option might help you.
But think twice before using it\(emthere is no way short
of restoring the latest backup to undo this command!
If you delete different revisions than you planned,
either due to carelessness or (heaven forbid) a \fBcvs\fR
bug, there is no opportunity to correct the error
before the revisions are deleted.  It probably would be
a good idea to experiment on a copy of the repository
first.
.SP
Specify \fIrange\fR in one of the following ways:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev1\fB::\fIrev2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Collapse all revisions between rev1 and rev2, so that
\fBcvs\fR only stores the differences associated with going
from rev1 to rev2, not intermediate steps.  For
example, after \fB-o 1.3::1.5\fR one can retrieve
revision 1.3, revision 1.5, or the differences to get
from 1.3 to 1.5, but not the revision 1.4, or the
differences between 1.3 and 1.4.  Other examples:
\fB-o 1.3::1.4\fR and \fB-o 1.3::1.3\fR have no
effect, because there are no intermediate revisions to
remove.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB::\fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Collapse revisions between the beginning of the branch
containing \fIrev\fR and \fIrev\fR itself.  The
branchpoint and \fIrev\fR are left intact.  For
example, \fB-o ::1.3.2.6\fR deletes revision 1.3.2.1,
revision 1.3.2.5, and everything in between, but leaves
1.3 and 1.3.2.6 intact.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev\fB::\fR
.IP "" 4
Collapse revisions between \fIrev\fR and the end of the
branch containing \fIrev\fR.  Revision \fIrev\fR is
left intact but the head revision is deleted.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Delete the revision \fIrev\fR.  For example, \fB-o
1.3\fR is equivalent to \fB-o 1.2::1.4\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev1\fB:\fIrev2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Delete the revisions from \fIrev1\fR to \fIrev2\fR,
inclusive, on the same branch.  One will not be able to
retrieve \fIrev1\fR or \fIrev2\fR or any of the
revisions in between.  For example, the command
\fBcvs admin -oR_1_01:R_1_02 \&.\fR is rarely useful.
It means to delete revisions up to, and including, the
tag R_1_02.  But beware!  If there are files that have not
changed between R_1_02 and R_1_03 the file will have
\fIthe same\fR numerical revision number assigned to
the tags R_1_02 and R_1_03.  So not only will it be
impossible to retrieve R_1_02; R_1_03 will also have to
be restored from the tapes!  In most cases you want to
specify \fIrev1\fR::\fIrev2\fR instead.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB:\fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Delete revisions from the beginning of the
branch containing \fIrev\fR up to and including
\fIrev\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev\fB:\fR
.IP "" 4
Delete revisions from revision \fIrev\fR, including
\fIrev\fR itself, to the end of the branch containing
\fIrev\fR.
.SP
None of the revisions to be deleted may have
branches or locks.
.SP
If any of the revisions to be deleted have symbolic
names, and one specifies one of the \fB::\fR syntaxes,
then \fBcvs\fR will give an error and not delete any
revisions.  If you really want to delete both the
symbolic names and the revisions, first delete the
symbolic names with \fBcvs tag -d\fR, then run
\fBcvs admin -o\fR.  If one specifies the
non-\fB::\fR syntaxes, then \fBcvs\fR will delete the
revisions but leave the symbolic names pointing to
nonexistent revisions.  This behavior is preserved for
compatibility with previous versions of \fBcvs\fR, but
because it isn\(aqt very useful, in the future it may
change to be like the \fB::\fR case.
.SP
Due to the way \fBcvs\fR handles branches \fIrev\fR
cannot be specified symbolically if it is a branch.
see node `Magic branch numbers\(aq in the CVS manual, for an explanation.
.SP
Make sure that no-one has checked out a copy of the
revision you outdate.  Strange things will happen if he
starts to edit it and tries to check it back in.  For
this reason, this option is not a good way to take back
a bogus commit; commit a new revision undoing the bogus
change instead (see node `Merging two revisions\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-q\fR
.IP "" 2
Run quietly; do not print diagnostics.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-s\fIstate\fB[:\fIrev\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Useful with \fBcvs\fR.  Set the state attribute of the
revision \fIrev\fR to \fIstate\fR.  If \fIrev\fR is a
branch number, assume the latest revision on that
branch.  If \fIrev\fR is omitted, assume the latest
revision on the default branch.  Any identifier is
acceptable for \fIstate\fR.  A useful set of states is
\fBExp\fR (for experimental), \fBStab\fR (for
stable), and \fBRel\fR (for released).  By default,
the state of a new revision is set to \fBExp\fR when
it is created.  The state is visible in the output from
\fIcvs log\fR (see node `log\(aq in the CVS manual), and in the
\fB$\fP\fPLog$\fR and \fB$\fP\fPState$\fR keywords
(see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual).  Note that \fBcvs\fR
uses the \fBdead\fR state for its own purposes (see node `Attic\(aq in the CVS manual); to
take a file to or from the \fBdead\fR state use
commands like \fBcvs remove\fR and \fBcvs add\fR
(see node `Adding and removing\(aq in the CVS manual), not \fBcvs admin -s\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t[\fIfile\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Useful with \fBcvs\fR.  Write descriptive text from the
contents of the named \fIfile\fR into the RCS file,
deleting the existing text.  The \fIfile\fR pathname
may not begin with \fB-\fR.  The descriptive text can be seen in the
output from \fBcvs log\fR (see node `log\(aq in the CVS manual).
There can be no space between \fB-t\fR and its argument.
.SP
If \fIfile\fR is omitted,
obtain the text from standard input, terminated by
end-of-file or by a line containing \fB.\fR by itself.
Prompt for the text if interaction is possible; see
\fB-I\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t-\fIstring\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Similar to \fB-t\fIfile\fB\fR. Write descriptive text
from the \fIstring\fR into the \fBrcs\fR file, deleting
the existing text.
There can be no space between \fB-t\fR and its argument.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-U\fR
.IP "" 2
Set locking to non-strict.  Non-strict locking means
that the owner of a file need not lock a revision for
checkin.  For use with \fBcvs\fR, strict locking must be
set; see the discussion under the \fB-l\fR option
above.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-u[\fIrev\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
See the option \fB-l\fR above, for a discussion of
using this option with \fBcvs\fR.  Unlock the revision
with number \fIrev\fR.  If a branch is given, unlock
the latest revision on that branch.  If \fIrev\fR is
omitted, remove the latest lock held by the caller.
Normally, only the locker of a revision may unlock it;
somebody else unlocking a revision breaks the lock.
This causes the original locker to be sent a \fBcommit\fR
notification (see node `Getting Notified\(aq in the CVS manual).
There can be no space between \fB-u\fR and its argument.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-V\fIn\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
In previous versions of \fBcvs\fR, this option meant to
write an \fBrcs\fR file which would be acceptable to
\fBrcs\fR version \fIn\fR, but it is now obsolete and
specifying it will produce an error.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-x\fIsuffixes\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
In previous versions of \fBcvs\fR, this was documented
as a way of specifying the names of the \fBrcs\fR
files.  However, \fBcvs\fR has always required that the
\fBrcs\fR files used by \fBcvs\fR end in \fB,v\fR, so
this option has never done anything useful.
.SP
.SP
.SH "annotate"
.SS "What revision modified each line of a file?"
.IX "annotate (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: annotate [options] files\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.SP
For each file in \fIfiles\fR, print the head revision
of the trunk, together with information on the last
modification for each line.  
.SP
.SH "annotate options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBannotate\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local directory only, no recursion.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Process directories recursively.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Use head revision if tag/date not found.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-F\fR
.IP "" 2
Annotate binary files.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Annotate file as of specified revision/tag or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  See see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Annotate file as of specified date.
.SP
.SH "annotate example"
.SP
For example:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs annotate ssfile
.IP "" 2
Annotations for ssfile
.IP "" 2
***************
.IP "" 2
1.1          (mary     27-Mar-96): ssfile line 1
.IP "" 2
1.2          (joe      28-Mar-96): ssfile line 2

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
The file \fBssfile\fR currently contains two lines.
The \fBssfile line 1\fR line was checked in by
\fBmary\fR on March 27.  Then, on March 28, \fBjoe\fR
added a line \fBssfile line 2\fR, without modifying
the \fBssfile line 1\fR line.  This report doesn\(aqt
tell you anything about lines which have been deleted
or replaced; you need to use \fBcvs diff\fR for that
(see node `diff\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
The options to \fBcvs annotate\fR are listed in
see node `Invoking CVS\(aq in the CVS manual, and can be used to select the files
and revisions to annotate.  The options are described
in more detail there and in see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SH "checkout"
.SS "Check out sources for editing"
.IX "checkout (subcommand)"
.IX "co (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: checkout [options] modules\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: working directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synonyms: co, get
.SP
Create or update a working directory containing copies of the
source files specified by \fImodules\fR.  You must execute
\fBcheckout\fR before using most of the other \fBcvs\fR
commands, since most of them operate on your working
directory.
.SP
The \fImodules\fR are either
symbolic names for some
collection of source directories and files, or paths to
directories or files in the repository.  The symbolic
names are defined in the \fBmodules\fR file.
see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
Depending on the modules you specify, \fBcheckout\fR may
recursively create directories and populate them with
the appropriate source files.  You can then edit these
source files at any time (regardless of whether other
software developers are editing their own copies of the
sources); update them to include new changes applied by
others to the source repository; or commit your work as
a permanent change to the source repository.
.SP
Note that \fBcheckout\fR is used to create
directories.  The top-level directory created is always
added to the directory where \fBcheckout\fR is
invoked, and usually has the same name as the specified
module.  In the case of a module alias, the created
sub-directory may have a different name, but you can be
sure that it will be a sub-directory, and that
\fBcheckout\fR will show the relative path leading to
each file as it is extracted into your private work
area (unless you specify the \fB-Q\fR global option).
.SP
The files created by \fBcheckout\fR are created
read-write, unless the \fB-r\fR option to \fBcvs\fR
(see node `Global options\(aq in the CVS manual) is specified, the
\fBCVSREAD\fR environment variable is specified
(see node `Environment variables\(aq in the CVS manual), or a watch is in
effect for that file (see node `Watches\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
Note that running \fBcheckout\fR on a directory that was already
built by a prior \fBcheckout\fR is also permitted.
This is similar to specifying the \fB-d\fR option
to the \fBupdate\fR command in the sense that new
directories that have been created in the repository
will appear in your work area.
However, \fBcheckout\fR takes a module name whereas
\fBupdate\fR takes a directory name.  Also
to use \fBcheckout\fR this way it must be run from the
top level directory (where you originally ran
\fBcheckout\fR from), so before you run
\fBcheckout\fR to update an existing directory, don\(aqt
forget to change your directory to the top level
directory.
.SP
For the output produced by the \fBcheckout\fR command
see see node `update output\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SH "checkout options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBcheckout\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate\fR.
This option is sticky, and implies \fB-P\fR.  See
see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Only useful with the \fB-D\fR or \fB-r\fR flags.  If no matching revision is
found, retrieve the most recent revision (instead of ignoring the file).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIkflag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Process keywords according to \fIkflag\fR.  See
see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.
This option is sticky; future updates of
this file in this working directory will use the same
\fIkflag\fR.  The \fBstatus\fR command can be viewed
to see the sticky options.  See see node `Invoking CVS\(aq in the CVS manual, for
more information on the \fBstatus\fR command.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not run any checkout program (as specified
with the \fB-o\fR option in the modules file;
see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-P\fR
.IP "" 2
Prune empty directories.  See see node `Moving directories\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-p\fR
.IP "" 2
Pipe files to the standard output.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Checkout directories recursively.  This option is on by default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Checkout the revision specified by \fItag\fR or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  This option is sticky, and implies \fB-P\fR.
See see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates.  Also,
see see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
In addition to those, you can use these special command
options with \fBcheckout\fR:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-A\fR
.IP "" 2
Reset any sticky tags, dates, or \fB-k\fR options.
See see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fR
.IP "" 2
Copy the module file, sorted, to the standard output,
instead of creating or modifying any files or
directories in your working directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d \fIdir\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Create a directory called \fIdir\fR for the working
files, instead of using the module name.  In general,
using this flag is equivalent to using \fBmkdir
\fIdir\fB; cd \fIdir\fB\fR followed by the checkout
command without the \fB-d\fR flag.
.SP
There is an important exception, however.  It is very
convenient when checking out a single item to have the
output appear in a directory that doesn\(aqt contain empty
intermediate directories.  In this case \fIonly\fR,
\fBcvs\fR tries to \`\`shorten\(aq\(aq pathnames to avoid those empty
directories.
.SP
For example, given a module \fBfoo\fR that contains
the file \fBbar.c\fR, the command \fBcvs co -d dir
foo\fR will create directory \fBdir\fR and place
\fBbar.c\fR inside.  Similarly, given a module
\fBbar\fR which has subdirectory \fBbaz\fR wherein
there is a file \fBquux.c\fR, the command \fBcvs co
-d dir bar/baz\fR will create directory \fBdir\fR and
place \fBquux.c\fR inside.
.SP
Using the \fB-N\fR flag will defeat this behavior.
Given the same module definitions above, \fBcvs co
-N -d dir foo\fR will create directories \fBdir/foo\fR
and place \fBbar.c\fR inside, while \fBcvs co -N -d
dir bar/baz\fR will create directories \fBdir/bar/baz\fR
and place \fBquux.c\fR inside.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-j \fItag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
With two \fB-j\fR options, merge changes from the
revision specified with the first \fB-j\fR option to
the revision specified with the second \fBj\fR option,
into the working directory.
.SP
With one \fB-j\fR option, merge changes from the
ancestor revision to the revision specified with the
\fB-j\fR option, into the working directory.  The
ancestor revision is the common ancestor of the
revision which the working directory is based on, and
the revision specified in the \fB-j\fR option.
.SP
In addition, each -j option can contain an optional
date specification which, when used with branches, can
limit the chosen revision to one within a specific
date.  An optional date is specified by adding a colon
(:) to the tag:
\fB-j\fISymbolic_Tag\fB:\fIDate_Specifier\fB\fR.
.SP
see node `Branching and merging\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-N\fR
.IP "" 2
Only useful together with \fB-d \fIdir\fB\fR.  With
this option, \fBcvs\fR will not \`\`shorten\(aq\(aq module paths
in your working directory when you check out a single
module.  See the \fB-d\fR flag for examples and a
discussion.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-s\fR
.IP "" 2
Like \fB-c\fR, but include the status of all modules,
and sort it by the status string.  see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual, for
info about the \fB-s\fR option that is used inside the
modules file to set the module status.
.SP
.SH "checkout examples"
.SP
Get a copy of the module \fBtc\fR:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs checkout tc

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
Get a copy of the module \fBtc\fR as it looked one day
ago:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs checkout -D yesterday tc

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "commit"
.SS "Check files into the repository"
.IX "commit (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: commit [-lnRf] [-m \(aqlog_message\(aq |
-F file] [-r revision] [files\&...]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: working directory, repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synonym: ci
.SP
Use \fBcommit\fR when you want to incorporate changes
from your working source files into the source
repository.
.SP
If you don\(aqt specify particular files to commit, all of
the files in your working current directory are
examined.  \fBcommit\fR is careful to change in the
repository only those files that you have really
changed.  By default (or if you explicitly specify the
\fB-R\fR option), files in subdirectories are also
examined and committed if they have changed; you can
use the \fB-l\fR option to limit \fBcommit\fR to the
current directory only.
.SP
\fBcommit\fR verifies that the selected files are up
to date with the current revisions in the source
repository; it will notify you, and exit without
committing, if any of the specified files must be made
current first with \fBupdate\fR (see node `update\(aq in the CVS manual).
\fBcommit\fR does not call the \fBupdate\fR command
for you, but rather leaves that for you to do when the
time is right.
.SP
When all is well, an editor is invoked to allow you to
enter a log message that will be written to one or more
logging programs (see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual, and see node `loginfo\(aq in the CVS manual)
and placed in the \fBrcs\fR file inside the
repository.  This log message can be retrieved with the
\fBlog\fR command; see see node `log\(aq in the CVS manual.  You can specify the
log message on the command line with the \fB-m
\fImessage\fB\fR option, and thus avoid the editor invocation,
or use the \fB-F \fIfile\fB\fR option to specify
that the argument file contains the log message.
.SP
At \fBcommit\fR, a unique commitid is placed in the \fBrcs\fR
file inside the repository. All files committed at once
get the same commitid. The commitid can be retrieved with
the \fBlog\fR and \fBstatus\fR command; see see node `log\(aq in the CVS manual,
see node `File status\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SH "commit options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBcommit\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Commit directories recursively.  This is on by default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fIrevision\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Commit to \fIrevision\fR.  \fIrevision\fR must be
either a branch, or a revision on the main trunk that
is higher than any existing revision number
(see node `Assigning revisions\(aq in the CVS manual).  You
cannot commit to a specific revision on a branch.
.SP
\fBcommit\fR also supports these options:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fR
.IP "" 2
Refuse to commit files unless the user has registered a valid edit on the
file via \fBcvs edit\fR.  This is most useful when \fBcommit -c\fR
and \fBedit -c\fR have been placed in all \fB.cvsrc\fR files.
A commit can be forced anyways by either regestering an edit retroactively
via \fBcvs edit\fR (no changes to the file will be lost) or using the
\fB-f\fR option to commit.  Support for \fBcommit -c\fR requires both
client and a server versions 1.12.10 or greater.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-F \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Read the log message from \fIfile\fR, instead
of invoking an editor.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Note that this is not the standard behavior of
the \fB-f\fR option as defined in see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
Force \fBcvs\fR to commit a new revision even if you haven\(aqt
made any changes to the file.  As of \fBcvs\fR version 1.12.10,
it also causes the \fB-c\fR option to be ignored.  If the current revision
of \fIfile\fR is 1.7, then the following two commands
are equivalent:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 4
$ cvs commit -f \fIfile\fR
.IP "" 4
$ cvs commit -r 1.8 \fIfile\fR

.PD
.IP "" 2
.SP
The \fB-f\fR option disables recursion (i.e., it
implies \fB-l\fR).  To force \fBcvs\fR to commit a new
revision for all files in all subdirectories, you must
use \fB-f -R\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-m \fImessage\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fImessage\fR as the log message, instead of
invoking an editor.
.SP
.SH "commit examples"
.SP
.SS "Committing to a branch"
.SP
You can commit to a branch revision (one that has an
even number of dots) with the \fB-r\fR option.  To
create a branch revision, use the \fB-b\fR option
of the \fBrtag\fR or \fBtag\fR commands
(see node `Branching and merging\(aq in the CVS manual).  Then, either \fBcheckout\fR or
\fBupdate\fR can be used to base your sources on the
newly created branch.  From that point on, all
\fBcommit\fR changes made within these working sources
will be automatically added to a branch revision,
thereby not disturbing main-line development in any
way.  For example, if you had to create a patch to the
1.2 version of the product, even though the 2.0 version
is already under development, you might do:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs rtag -b -r FCS1_2 FCS1_2_Patch product_module
.IP "" 2
$ cvs checkout -r FCS1_2_Patch product_module
.IP "" 2
$ cd product_module
.IP "" 2
[[ hack away ]]
.IP "" 2
$ cvs commit

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
This works automatically since the \fB-r\fR option is
sticky.
.SP
.SS "Creating the branch after editing"
.SP
Say you have been working on some extremely
experimental software, based on whatever revision you
happened to checkout last week.  If others in your
group would like to work on this software with you, but
without disturbing main-line development, you could
commit your change to a new branch.  Others can then
checkout your experimental stuff and utilize the full
benefit of \fBcvs\fR conflict resolution.  The scenario might
look like:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
[[ hacked sources are present ]]
.IP "" 2
$ cvs tag -b EXPR1
.IP "" 2
$ cvs update -r EXPR1
.IP "" 2
$ cvs commit

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
The \fBupdate\fR command will make the \fB-r
EXPR1\fR option sticky on all files.  Note that your
changes to the files will never be removed by the
\fBupdate\fR command.  The \fBcommit\fR will
automatically commit to the correct branch, because the
\fB-r\fR is sticky.  You could also do like this:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
[[ hacked sources are present ]]
.IP "" 2
$ cvs tag -b EXPR1
.IP "" 2
$ cvs commit -r EXPR1

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
but then, only those files that were changed by you
will have the \fB-r EXPR1\fR sticky flag.  If you hack
away, and commit without specifying the \fB-r EXPR1\fR
flag, some files may accidentally end up on the main
trunk.
.SP
To work with you on the experimental change, others
would simply do
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs checkout -r EXPR1 whatever_module

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "diff"
.SS "Show differences between revisions"
.IX "diff (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: diff [-lR] [-k kflag] [format_options] [(-r rev1[:date1] | -D date1) [-r rev2[:date2] | -D date2]] [files\&...]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: working directory, repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.SP
The \fBdiff\fR command is used to compare different
revisions of files.  The default action is to compare
your working files with the revisions they were based
on, and report any differences that are found.
.SP
If any file names are given, only those files are
compared.  If any directories are given, all files
under them will be compared.
.SP
The exit status for diff is different than for other
\fBcvs\fR commands; for details see node `Exit status\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SH "diff options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBdiff\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate\fR.
See \fB-r\fR for how this affects the comparison.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIkflag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Process keywords according to \fIkflag\fR.  See
see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Examine directories recursively.  This option is on by
default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Compare with revision specified by \fItag\fR or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  Zero, one or two
\fB-r\fR options can be present.  With no \fB-r\fR
option, the working file will be compared with the
revision it was based on.  With one \fB-r\fR, that
revision will be compared to your current working file.
With two \fB-r\fR options those two revisions will be
compared (and your working file will not affect the
outcome in any way).
.SP
One or both \fB-r\fR options can be replaced by a
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR option, described above.
.SP
The following options specify the format of the
output.  They have the same meaning as in GNU diff.
Most options have two equivalent names, one of which is a single letter
preceded by \fB-\fR, and the other of which is a long name preceded by
\fB--\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-\fIlines\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show \fIlines\fR (an integer) lines of context.  This option does not
specify an output format by itself; it has no effect unless it is
combined with \fB-c\fR or \fB-u\fR.  This option is obsolete.  For proper
operation, \fBpatch\fR typically needs at least two lines of context.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-a\fR
.IP "" 2
Treat all files as text and compare them line-by-line, even if they
do not seem to be text.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-b\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore trailing white space and consider all other sequences of one or
more white space characters to be equivalent.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-B\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes that just insert or delete blank lines.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--binary\fR
.IP "" 2
Read and write data in binary mode.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--brief\fR
.IP "" 2
Report only whether the files differ, not the details of the
differences.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the context output format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-C \fIlines\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--context\fR[\fB=\fIlines\fB\fR]\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the context output format, showing \fIlines\fR (an integer) lines of
context, or three if \fIlines\fR is not given.
For proper operation, \fBpatch\fR typically needs at least two lines of
context.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--changed-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a line group containing differing lines from
both files in if-then-else format.  see node `Line group formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d\fR
.IP "" 2
Change the algorithm to perhaps find a smaller set of changes.  This makes
\fBdiff\fR slower (sometimes much slower).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-e\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--ed\fR
.IP "" 2
Make output that is a valid \fBed\fR script.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--expand-tabs\fR
.IP "" 2
Expand tabs to spaces in the output, to preserve the alignment of tabs
in the input files.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Make output that looks vaguely like an \fBed\fR script but has changes
in the order they appear in the file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-F \fIregexp\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
In context and unified format, for each hunk of differences, show some
of the last preceding line that matches \fIregexp\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--forward-ed\fR
.IP "" 2
Make output that looks vaguely like an \fBed\fR script but has changes
in the order they appear in the file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-H\fR
.IP "" 2
Use heuristics to speed handling of large files that have numerous
scattered small changes.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--horizon-lines=\fIlines\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not discard the last \fIlines\fR lines of the common prefix
and the first \fIlines\fR lines of the common suffix.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-i\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes in case; consider upper- and lower-case letters
equivalent.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-I \fIregexp\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes that just insert or delete lines that match \fIregexp\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ifdef=\fIname\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Make merged if-then-else output using \fIname\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ignore-all-space\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore white space when comparing lines.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ignore-blank-lines\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes that just insert or delete blank lines.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ignore-case\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes in case; consider upper- and lower-case to be the same.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ignore-matching-lines=\fIregexp\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore changes that just insert or delete lines that match \fIregexp\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--ignore-space-change\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore trailing white space and consider all other sequences of one or
more white space characters to be equivalent.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--initial-tab\fR
.IP "" 2
Output a tab rather than a space before the text of a line in normal or
context format.  This causes the alignment of tabs in the line to look
normal.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-L \fIlabel\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIlabel\fR instead of the file name in the context format
and unified format headers.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--label=\fIlabel\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIlabel\fR instead of the file name in the context format
and unified format headers.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--left-column\fR
.IP "" 2
Print only the left column of two common lines in side by side format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output all input lines in if-then-else format.
see node `Line formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--minimal\fR
.IP "" 2
Change the algorithm to perhaps find a smaller set of changes.  This
makes \fBdiff\fR slower (sometimes much slower).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fR
.IP "" 2
Output RCS-format diffs; like \fB-f\fR except that each command
specifies the number of lines affected.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-N\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--new-file\fR
.IP "" 2
In directory comparison, if a file is found in only one directory,
treat it as present but empty in the other directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--new-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a group of lines taken from just the second
file in if-then-else format.  see node `Line group formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--new-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a line taken from just the second file in
if-then-else format.  see node `Line formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--old-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a group of lines taken from just the first
file in if-then-else format.  see node `Line group formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--old-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a line taken from just the first file in
if-then-else format.  see node `Line formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-p\fR
.IP "" 2
Show which C function each change is in.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--rcs\fR
.IP "" 2
Output RCS-format diffs; like \fB-f\fR except that each command
specifies the number of lines affected.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--report-identical-files\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB-s\fR
.IP "" 2
Report when two files are the same.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--show-c-function\fR
.IP "" 2
Show which C function each change is in.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--show-function-line=\fIregexp\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
In context and unified format, for each hunk of differences, show some
of the last preceding line that matches \fIregexp\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--side-by-side\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the side by side output format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--speed-large-files\fR
.IP "" 2
Use heuristics to speed handling of large files that have numerous
scattered small changes.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--suppress-common-lines\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not print common lines in side by side format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t\fR
.IP "" 2
Expand tabs to spaces in the output, to preserve the alignment of tabs
in the input files.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-T\fR
.IP "" 2
Output a tab rather than a space before the text of a line in normal or
context format.  This causes the alignment of tabs in the line to look
normal.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--text\fR
.IP "" 2
Treat all files as text and compare them line-by-line, even if they
do not appear to be text.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-u\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the unified output format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--unchanged-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a group of common lines taken from both files
in if-then-else format.  see node `Line group formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--unchanged-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fIformat\fR to output a line common to both files in if-then-else
format.  see node `Line formats\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-U \fIlines\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--unified\fR[\fB=\fIlines\fB\fR]\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the unified output format, showing \fIlines\fR (an integer) lines of
context, or three if \fIlines\fR is not given.
For proper operation, \fBpatch\fR typically needs at least two lines of
context.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-w\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore white space when comparing lines.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-W \fIcolumns\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fB--width=\fIcolumns\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use an output width of \fIcolumns\fR in side by side format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-y\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the side by side output format.
.SP
.SH "Line group formats"
.SP
Line group formats let you specify formats suitable for many
applications that allow if-then-else input, including programming
languages and text formatting languages.  A line group format specifies
the output format for a contiguous group of similar lines.
.SP
For example, the following command compares the TeX file \fBmyfile\fR
with the original version from the repository,
and outputs a merged file in which old regions are
surrounded by \fB\\begin{em}\fR-\fB\\end{em}\fR lines, and new
regions are surrounded by \fB\\begin{bf}\fR-\fB\\end{bf}\fR lines.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs diff \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-group-format=\(aq\\begin{em}
.IP "" 2
%<\\end{em}
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-group-format=\(aq\\begin{bf}
.IP "" 2
%>\\end{bf}
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   myfile

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
The following command is equivalent to the above example, but it is a
little more verbose, because it spells out the default line group formats.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs diff \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-group-format=\(aq\\begin{em}
.IP "" 2
%<\\end{em}
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-group-format=\(aq\\begin{bf}
.IP "" 2
%>\\end{bf}
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --unchanged-group-format=\(aq%=\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --changed-group-format=\(aq\\begin{em}
.IP "" 2
%<\\end{em}
.IP "" 2
\\begin{bf}
.IP "" 2
%>\\end{bf}
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   myfile

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
Here is a more advanced example, which outputs a diff listing with
headers containing line numbers in a \`\`plain English\(aq\(aq style.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs diff \\
.IP "" 2
   --unchanged-group-format=\(aq\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-group-format=\(aq-------- %dn line%(n=1?:s) deleted at %df:
.IP "" 2
%<\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-group-format=\(aq-------- %dN line%(N=1?:s) added after %de:
.IP "" 2
%>\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --changed-group-format=\(aq-------- %dn line%(n=1?:s) changed at %df:
.IP "" 2
%<-------- to:
.IP "" 2
%>\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   myfile

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
To specify a line group format, use one of the options
listed below.  You can specify up to four line group formats, one for
each kind of line group.  You should quote \fIformat\fR, because it
typically contains shell metacharacters.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--old-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
These line groups are hunks containing only lines from the first file.
The default old group format is the same as the changed group format if
it is specified; otherwise it is a format that outputs the line group as-is.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--new-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
These line groups are hunks containing only lines from the second
file.  The default new group format is same as the changed group
format if it is specified; otherwise it is a format that outputs the
line group as-is.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--changed-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
These line groups are hunks containing lines from both files.  The
default changed group format is the concatenation of the old and new
group formats.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--unchanged-group-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
These line groups contain lines common to both files.  The default
unchanged group format is a format that outputs the line group as-is.
.SP
In a line group format, ordinary characters represent themselves;
conversion specifications start with \fB%\fR and have one of the
following forms.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%<\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for the lines from the first file, including the trailing newline.
Each line is formatted according to the old line format (see node `Line formats\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%>\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for the lines from the second file, including the trailing newline.
Each line is formatted according to the new line format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%=\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for the lines common to both files, including the trailing newline.
Each line is formatted according to the unchanged line format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%%\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for \fB%\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%c\(aq\fIC\fB\(aq\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIC\fR is a single character, stands for \fIC\fR.
\fIC\fR may not be a backslash or an apostrophe.
For example, \fB%c\(aq:\(aq\fR stands for a colon, even inside
the then-part of an if-then-else format, which a colon would
normally terminate.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%c\(aq\\\fIO\fB\(aq\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIO\fR is a string of 1, 2, or 3 octal digits,
stands for the character with octal code \fIO\fR.
For example, \fB%c\(aq\\0\(aq\fR stands for a null character.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB\fIF\fB\fIn\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIF\fR is a \fBprintf\fR conversion specification and \fIn\fR is one
of the following letters, stands for \fIn\fR\(aqs value formatted with \fIF\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBe\fR
.IP "" 4
The line number of the line just before the group in the old file.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBf\fR
.IP "" 4
The line number of the first line in the group in the old file;
equals \fIe\fR + 1.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBl\fR
.IP "" 4
The line number of the last line in the group in the old file.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBm\fR
.IP "" 4
The line number of the line just after the group in the old file;
equals \fIl\fR + 1.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBn\fR
.IP "" 4
The number of lines in the group in the old file; equals \fIl\fR - \fIf\fR + 1.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBE, F, L, M, N\fR
.IP "" 4
Likewise, for lines in the new file.
.SP
.SP
The \fBprintf\fR conversion specification can be \fB%d\fR,
\fB%o\fR, \fB%x\fR, or \fB%X\fR, specifying decimal, octal,
lower case hexadecimal, or upper case hexadecimal output
respectively.  After the \fB%\fR the following options can appear in
sequence: a \fB-\fR specifying left-justification; an integer
specifying the minimum field width; and a period followed by an
optional integer specifying the minimum number of digits.
For example, \fB%5dN\fR prints the number of new lines in the group
in a field of width 5 characters, using the \fBprintf\fR format \fB"%5d"\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB(\fIA\fB=\fIB\fB?\fIT\fB:\fIE\fB)\fR
.IP "" 2
If \fIA\fR equals \fIB\fR then \fIT\fR else \fIE\fR.
\fIA\fR and \fIB\fR are each either a decimal constant
or a single letter interpreted as above.
This format spec is equivalent to \fIT\fR if
\fIA\fR\(aqs value equals \fIB\fR\(aqs; otherwise it is equivalent to \fIE\fR.
.SP
For example, \fB%(N=0?no:%dN) line%(N=1?:s)\fR is equivalent to
\fBno lines\fR if \fIN\fR (the number of lines in the group in the
new file) is 0, to \fB1 line\fR if \fIN\fR is 1, and to \fB%dN lines\fR
otherwise.
.SP
.SH "Line formats"
.SP
Line formats control how each line taken from an input file is
output as part of a line group in if-then-else format.
.SP
For example, the following command outputs text with a one-column
change indicator to the left of the text.  The first column of output
is \fB-\fR for deleted lines, \fB|\fR for added lines, and a space
for unchanged lines.  The formats contain newline characters where
newlines are desired on output.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs diff \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-line-format=\(aq-%l
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-line-format=\(aq|%l
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --unchanged-line-format=\(aq %l
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   myfile

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
To specify a line format, use one of the following options.  You should
quote \fIformat\fR, since it often contains shell metacharacters.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--old-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
formats lines just from the first file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--new-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
formats lines just from the second file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--unchanged-line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
formats lines common to both files.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB--line-format=\fIformat\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
formats all lines; in effect, it sets all three above options simultaneously.
.SP
In a line format, ordinary characters represent themselves;
conversion specifications start with \fB%\fR and have one of the
following forms.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%l\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for the contents of the line, not counting its trailing
newline (if any).  This format ignores whether the line is incomplete.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%L\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for the contents of the line, including its trailing newline
(if any).  If a line is incomplete, this format preserves its
incompleteness.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%%\fR
.IP "" 2
stands for \fB%\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%c\(aq\fIC\fB\(aq\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIC\fR is a single character, stands for \fIC\fR.
\fIC\fR may not be a backslash or an apostrophe.
For example, \fB%c\(aq:\(aq\fR stands for a colon.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB%c\(aq\\\fIO\fB\(aq\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIO\fR is a string of 1, 2, or 3 octal digits,
stands for the character with octal code \fIO\fR.
For example, \fB%c\(aq\\0\(aq\fR stands for a null character.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB\fIF\fBn\fR
.IP "" 2
where \fIF\fR is a \fBprintf\fR conversion specification,
stands for the line number formatted with \fIF\fR.
For example, \fB%.5dn\fR prints the line number using the
\fBprintf\fR format \fB"%.5d"\fR.  see node `Line group formats\(aq in the CVS manual, for
more about printf conversion specifications.
.SP
.SP
The default line format is \fB%l\fR followed by a newline character.
.SP
If the input contains tab characters and it is important that they line
up on output, you should ensure that \fB%l\fR or \fB%L\fR in a line
format is just after a tab stop (e.g. by preceding \fB%l\fR or
\fB%L\fR with a tab character), or you should use the \fB-t\fR or
\fB--expand-tabs\fR option.
.SP
Taken together, the line and line group formats let you specify many
different formats.  For example, the following command uses a format
similar to \fBdiff\fR\(aqs normal format.  You can tailor this command
to get fine control over \fBdiff\fR\(aqs output.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
cvs diff \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-line-format=\(aq< %l
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-line-format=\(aq> %l
.IP "" 2
\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --old-group-format=\(aq%df%(f=l?:,%dl)d%dE
.IP "" 2
%<\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --new-group-format=\(aq%dea%dF%(F=L?:,%dL)
.IP "" 2
%>\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --changed-group-format=\(aq%df%(f=l?:,%dl)c%dF%(F=L?:,%dL)
.IP "" 2
%<\(em
.IP "" 2
%>\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   --unchanged-group-format=\(aq\(aq \\
.IP "" 2
   myfile

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "diff examples"
.SP
The following line produces a Unidiff (\fB-u\fR flag)
between revision 1.14 and 1.19 of
\fBbackend.c\fR.  Due to the \fB-kk\fR flag no
keywords are substituted, so differences that only depend
on keyword substitution are ignored.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs diff -kk -u -r 1.14 -r 1.19 backend.c

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
Suppose the experimental branch EXPR1 was based on a
set of files tagged RELEASE_1_0.  To see what has
happened on that branch, the following can be used:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs diff -r RELEASE_1_0 -r EXPR1

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
A command like this can be used to produce a context
diff between two releases:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs diff -c -r RELEASE_1_0 -r RELEASE_1_1 > diffs

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
If you are maintaining ChangeLogs, a command like the following
just before you commit your changes may help you write
the ChangeLog entry.  All local modifications that have
not yet been committed will be printed.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs diff -u | less

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "export"
.SS "Export sources from CVS, similar to checkout"
.IX "export (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: export [-flNnR] (-r rev[:date] | -D date) [-k subst] [-d dir] module\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: current directory.
.SP
This command is a variant of \fBcheckout\fR; use it
when you want a copy of the source for module without
the \fBcvs\fR administrative directories.  For example, you
might use \fBexport\fR to prepare source for shipment
off-site.  This command requires that you specify a
date or tag (with \fB-D\fR or \fB-r\fR), so that you
can count on reproducing the source you ship to others
(and thus it always prunes empty directories).
.SP
One often would like to use \fB-kv\fR with \fBcvs
export\fR.  This causes any keywords to be
expanded such that an import done at some other site
will not lose the keyword revision information.  But be
aware that doesn\(aqt handle an export containing binary
files correctly.  Also be aware that after having used
\fB-kv\fR, one can no longer use the \fBident\fR
command (which is part of the \fBrcs\fR suite\(emsee
ident(1)) which looks for keyword strings.  If
you want to be able to use \fBident\fR you must not
use \fB-kv\fR.
.SP
.SH "export options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBexport\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
If no matching revision is found, retrieve the most
recent revision (instead of ignoring the file).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not run any checkout program.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Export directories recursively.  This is on by default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Export the revision specified by \fItag\fR or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  See see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
In addition, these options (that are common to
\fBcheckout\fR and \fBexport\fR) are also supported:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d \fIdir\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Create a directory called \fIdir\fR for the working
files, instead of using the module name.
see node `checkout options\(aq in the CVS manual, for complete details on how
\fBcvs\fR handles this flag.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIsubst\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Set keyword expansion mode (see node `Substitution modes\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-N\fR
.IP "" 2
Only useful together with \fB-d \fIdir\fB\fR.
see node `checkout options\(aq in the CVS manual, for complete details on how
\fBcvs\fR handles this flag.
.SP
.SH "history"
.SS "Show status of files and users"
.IX "history (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis:     history [-report] [-flags] [-options args] [files\&...]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: the file \fB$CVSROOT/CVSROOT/history\fR
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.SP
\fBcvs\fR can keep a history log that tracks each use of most \fBcvs\fR
commands.  You can use \fBhistory\fR to display this information in
various formats.
.SP
To enable logging, the \fBLogHistory\fR config option must be set to
some value other than the empty string and the history file specified by
the \fBHistoryLogPath\fR option must be writable by all users who may run
the \fBcvs\fR executable (see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
To enable the \fBhistory\fR command, logging must be enabled as above and
the \fBHistorySearchPath\fR config option (see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual) must be set to
specify some number of the history logs created thereby and these files must
be readable by each user who might run the \fBhistory\fR command.
.SP
Creating a repository via the \fBcvs init\fR command will enable logging of
all possible events to a single history log file
(\fB$CVSROOT/CVSROOT/history\fR) with read and write permissions for all
users (see node `Creating a repository\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
\fBNote: \fBhistory\fB uses \fB-f\fB, \fB-l\fB,
\fB-n\fB, and \fB-p\fB in ways that conflict with the
normal use inside \fBcvs\fB (see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual).\fR
.SP
.SH "history options"
.SP
Several options (shown above as \fB-report\fR)  control  what
kind of report is generated:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fR
.IP "" 2
Report on each time commit was used (i.e., each time
the repository was modified).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-e\fR
.IP "" 2
Everything (all record types).  Equivalent to
specifying \fB-x\fR with all record types.  Of course,
\fB-e\fR will also include record types which are
added in a future version of \fBcvs\fR; if you are
writing a script which can only handle certain record
types, you\(aqll want to specify \fB-x\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-m \fImodule\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Report on a particular module.  (You can meaningfully
use \fB-m\fR more than once on the command line.)
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-o\fR
.IP "" 2
Report on checked-out modules.  This is the default report type.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-T\fR
.IP "" 2
Report on all tags.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-x \fItype\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Extract a particular set of record types \fItype\fR from the \fBcvs\fR
history.  The types are indicated by single letters,
which you may specify in combination.
.SP
Certain commands have a single record type:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBF\fR
.IP "" 4
release
.IP "" 2
\fBO\fR
.IP "" 4
checkout
.IP "" 2
\fBE\fR
.IP "" 4
export
.IP "" 2
\fBT\fR
.IP "" 4
rtag
.SP
One of five record types may result from an update:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBC\fR
.IP "" 4
A merge was necessary but collisions were
detected (requiring manual merging).
.IP "" 2
\fBG\fR
.IP "" 4
A merge was necessary and it succeeded.
.IP "" 2
\fBU\fR
.IP "" 4
A working file was copied from the repository.
.IP "" 2
\fBP\fR
.IP "" 4
A working file was patched to match the repository.
.IP "" 2
\fBW\fR
.IP "" 4
The working copy of a file was deleted during
update (because it was gone from the repository).
.SP
One of three record types results from commit:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fBA\fR
.IP "" 4
A file was added for the first time.
.IP "" 2
\fBM\fR
.IP "" 4
A file was modified.
.IP "" 2
\fBR\fR
.IP "" 4
A file was removed.
.SP
The options shown as \fB-flags\fR constrain or expand
the report without requiring option arguments:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-a\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data for all users (the default is to show data
only for the user executing \fBhistory\fR).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Show last modification only.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-w\fR
.IP "" 2
Show only the records for modifications done from the
same working directory where \fBhistory\fR is
executing.
.SP
The options shown as \fB-options \fIargs\fB\fR constrain the report
based on an argument:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-b \fIstr\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data back to a record containing  the  string
\fIstr\fR  in  either the module name, the file name, or
the repository path.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data since \fIdate\fR.  This is slightly different
from the normal use of \fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR, which
selects the newest revision older than \fIdate\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data for a particular file
(you can specify several \fB-f\fR options on the same command line).
This is equivalent to specifying the file on the command line.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-n \fImodule\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data for a particular module
(you can specify several \fB-n\fR options on the same command line).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-p \fIrepository\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show data for a particular source repository  (you
can specify several \fB-p\fR options on the same command
line).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show records referring to revisions since the revision
or tag named \fIrev\fR appears in individual \fBrcs\fR
files.  Each \fBrcs\fR file is searched for the revision or
tag.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t \fItag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show records since tag \fItag\fR was last added to the
history file.  This differs from the \fB-r\fR flag
above in that it reads only the history file, not the
\fBrcs\fR files, and is much faster.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-u \fIname\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show records for user \fIname\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-z \fItimezone\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show times in the selected records using the specified
time zone instead of UTC.
.SP
.SH "import"
.SS "Import sources into CVS, using vendor branches"
.IX "import (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: import [-options] repository vendortag releasetag\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: Repository, source distribution directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: repository.
.SP
Use \fBimport\fR to incorporate an entire source
distribution from an outside source (e.g., a source
vendor) into your source repository directory.  You can
use this command both for initial creation of a
repository, and for wholesale updates to the module
from the outside source.  see node `Tracking sources\(aq in the CVS manual, for
a discussion on this subject.
.SP
The \fIrepository\fR argument gives a directory name
(or a path to a directory) under the \fBcvs\fR root directory
for repositories; if the directory did not exist,
import creates it.
.SP
When you use import for updates to source that has been
modified in your source repository (since a prior
import), it will notify you of any files that conflict
in the two branches of development; use \fBcheckout
-j\fR to reconcile the differences, as import instructs
you to do.
.SP
If \fBcvs\fR decides a file should be ignored
(see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual), it does not import it and prints
\fBI \fR followed by the filename (see node `import output\(aq in the CVS manual, for a
complete description of the output).
.SP
If the file \fB$CVSROOT/CVSROOT/cvswrappers\fR exists,
any file whose names match the specifications in that
file will be treated as packages and the appropriate
filtering will be performed on the file/directory
before being imported.  see node `Wrappers\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
The outside source is saved in a first-level
branch, by default 1.1.1.  Updates are leaves of this
branch; for example, files from the first imported
collection of source will be revision 1.1.1.1, then
files from the first imported update will be revision
1.1.1.2, and so on.
.SP
At least three arguments are required.
\fIrepository\fR is needed to identify the collection
of source.  \fIvendortag\fR is a tag for the entire
branch (e.g., for 1.1.1).  You must also specify at
least one \fIreleasetag\fR to uniquely identify the files at
the leaves created each time you execute \fBimport\fR.  The
\fIreleasetag\fR should be new, not previously existing in the
repository file, and uniquely identify the imported release,
.SP
Note that \fBimport\fR does \fInot\fR change the
directory in which you invoke it.  In particular, it
does not set up that directory as a \fBcvs\fR working
directory; if you want to work with the sources import
them first and then check them out into a different
directory (see node `Getting the source\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.SH "import options"
.SP
This standard option is supported by \fBimport\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-m \fImessage\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use \fImessage\fR as log information, instead of
invoking an editor.
.SP
There are the following additional special options.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-b \fIbranch\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
See see node `Multiple vendor branches\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIsubst\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Indicate the keyword expansion mode desired.  This
setting will apply to all files created during the
import, but not to any files that previously existed in
the repository.  See see node `Substitution modes\(aq in the CVS manual, for a
list of valid \fB-k\fR settings.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-I \fIname\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Specify file names that should be ignored during
import.  You can use this option repeatedly.  To avoid
ignoring any files at all (even those ignored by
default), specify \`-I !\(aq.
.SP
\fIname\fR can be a file name pattern of the same type
that you can specify in the \fB.cvsignore\fR file.
see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-W \fIspec\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Specify file names that should be filtered during
import.  You can use this option repeatedly.
.SP
\fIspec\fR can be a file name pattern of the same type
that you can specify in the \fB.cvswrappers\fR
file. see node `Wrappers\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-X\fR
.IP "" 2
Modify the algorithm used by \fBcvs\fR when importing new files
so that new files do not immediately appear on the main trunk.
.SP
Specifically, this flag causes \fBcvs\fR to mark new files as
if they were deleted on the main trunk, by taking the following
steps for each file in addition to those normally taken on import:
creating a new revision on the main trunk indicating that
the new file is \fBdead\fR, resetting the new file\(aqs default branch,
and placing the file in the Attic (see node `Attic\(aq in the CVS manual) directory.
.SP
Use of this option can be forced on a repository-wide basis
by setting the \fBImportNewFilesToVendorBranchOnly\fR option in
CVSROOT/config (see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.SH "import output"
.SP
\fBimport\fR keeps you informed of its progress by printing a line
for each file, preceded by one character indicating the status of the file:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBU \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file already exists in the repository and has not been locally
modified; a new revision has been created (if necessary).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBN \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file is a new file which has been added to the repository.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBC \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file already exists in the repository but has been locally modified;
you will have to merge the changes.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBI \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file is being ignored (see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
.IX "Symbolic link, importing"
.IX "Link, symbolic, importing"
.IP "" 0
\fBL \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file is a symbolic link; \fBcvs import\fR ignores symbolic links.
People periodically suggest that this behavior should
be changed, but if there is a consensus on what it
should be changed to, it is not apparent.
(Various options in the \fBmodules\fR file can be used
to recreate symbolic links on checkout, update, etc.;
see node `modules\(aq in the CVS manual.)
.SP
.SH "import examples"
.SP
See see node `Tracking sources\(aq in the CVS manual, and see node `From files\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SH "log"
.SS "Print out log information for files"
.IX "log (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synopsis: log [options] [files\&...]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository, working directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.SP
Display log information for files.  \fBlog\fR used to
call the \fBrcs\fR utility \fBrlog\fR.  Although this
is no longer true in the current sources, this history
determines the format of the output and the options,
which are not quite in the style of the other \fBcvs\fR
commands.
.SP
.IX "Timezone, in output"
.IX "Zone, time, in output"
The output includes the location of the \fBrcs\fR file,
the \fIhead\fR revision (the latest revision on the
trunk), all symbolic names (tags) and some other
things.  For each revision, the revision number, the
date, the author, the number of lines added/deleted, the commitid
and the log message are printed.  All dates are displayed
in local time at the client. This is typically specified in
the \fB$TZ\fR environment variable, which can be set to
govern how \fBlog\fR displays dates.
.SP
\fBNote: \fBlog\fB uses \fB-R\fB in a way that conflicts
with the normal use inside \fBcvs\fB (see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual).\fR
.SP
.SH "log options"
.SP
By default, \fBlog\fR prints all information that is
available.  All other options restrict the output.  Note that the revision
selection options (\fB-d\fR, \fB-r\fR, \fB-s\fR, and \fB-w\fR) have no
effect, other than possibly causing a search for files in Attic directories,
when used in conjunction with the options that restrict the output to only
\fBlog\fR header fields (\fB-b\fR, \fB-h\fR, \fB-R\fR, and \fB-t\fR)
unless the \fB-S\fR option is also specified.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-b\fR
.IP "" 2
Print information about the revisions on the default
branch, normally the highest branch on the trunk.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d \fIdates\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Print information about revisions with a checkin
date/time in the range given by the
semicolon-separated list of dates.  The date formats
accepted are those accepted by the \fB-D\fR option to
many other \fBcvs\fR commands (see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual).
Dates can be combined into ranges as follows:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fId1\fB<\fId2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
.IP "" 2
\fB\fId2\fB>\fId1\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Select the revisions that were deposited between
\fId1\fR and \fId2\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB<\fId\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
.IP "" 2
\fB\fId\fB>\fR
.IP "" 4
Select all revisions dated \fId\fR or earlier.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fId\fB<\fR
.IP "" 4
.IP "" 2
\fB>\fId\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Select all revisions dated \fId\fR or later.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fId\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Select the single, latest revision dated \fId\fR or
earlier.
.SP
The \fB>\fR or \fB<\fR characters may be followed by
\fB=\fR to indicate an inclusive range rather than an
exclusive one.
.SP
Note that the separator is a semicolon (;).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-h\fR
.IP "" 2
Print only the name of the \fBrcs\fR file, name
of the file in the working directory, head,
default branch, access list, locks, symbolic names, and
suffix.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.  (Default
is to run recursively).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-N\fR
.IP "" 2
Do not print the list of tags for this file.  This
option can be very useful when your site uses a lot of
tags, so rather than "more"\(aqing over 3 pages of tag
information, the log information is presented without
tags at all.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Print only the name of the \fBrcs\fR file.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r\fIrevisions\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Print information about revisions given in the
comma-separated list \fIrevisions\fR of revisions and
ranges.  The following table explains the available
range formats:
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev1\fB:\fIrev2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Revisions \fIrev1\fR to \fIrev2\fR (which must be on
the same branch).
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev1\fB::\fIrev2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
The same, but excluding \fIrev1\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB:\fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
.IP "" 2
\fB::\fIrev\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
Revisions from the beginning of the branch up to
and including \fIrev\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev\fB:\fR
.IP "" 4
Revisions starting with \fIrev\fR to the end of the
branch containing \fIrev\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIrev\fB::\fR
.IP "" 4
Revisions starting just after \fIrev\fR to the end of the
branch containing \fIrev\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIbranch\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
An argument that is a branch means all revisions on
that branch.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIbranch1\fB:\fIbranch2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIbranch1\fB::\fIbranch2\fB\fR
.IP "" 4
A range of branches means all revisions
on the branches in that range.
.SP
.IP "" 2
\fB\fIbranch\fB.\fR
.IP "" 4
The latest revision in \fIbranch\fR.
.SP
A bare \fB-r\fR with no revisions means the latest
revision on the default branch, normally the trunk.
There can be no space between the \fB-r\fR option and
its argument.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-S\fR
.IP "" 2
Suppress the header if no revisions are selected.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-s \fIstates\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Print information about revisions whose state
attributes match one of the states given in the
comma-separated list \fIstates\fR.  Individual states may
be any text string, though \fBcvs\fR commonly only uses two
states, \fBExp\fR and \fBdead\fR.  See see node `admin options\(aq in the CVS manual
for more information.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t\fR
.IP "" 2
Print the same as \fB-h\fR, plus the descriptive text.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-w\fIlogins\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Print information about revisions checked in by users
with login names appearing in the comma-separated list
\fIlogins\fR.  If \fIlogins\fR is omitted, the user\(aqs
login is assumed.  There can be no space between the
\fB-w\fR option and its argument.
.SP
\fBlog\fR prints the intersection of the revisions
selected with the options \fB-d\fR, \fB-s\fR, and
\fB-w\fR, intersected with the union of the revisions
selected by \fB-b\fR and \fB-r\fR.
.SP
.SH "log examples"
.SP
.IX "Timezone, in output"
.IX "Zone, time, in output"
Since \fBlog\fR shows dates in local time,
you might want to see them in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or
some other timezone.
To do this you can set your \fB$TZ\fR environment
variable before invoking \fBcvs\fR:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ TZ=UTC cvs log foo.c
.IP "" 2
$ TZ=EST cvs log bar.c

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
(If you are using a \fBcsh\fR-style shell, like \fBtcsh\fR,
you would need to prefix the examples above with \fBenv\fR.)
.SP
.SH "ls & rls"
.IX "ls (subcommand)"
.IX "rls (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
ls [-e | -l] [-RP] [-r tag[:date]] [-D date] [path\&...]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository for \fBrls\fR, repository & working directory for
\fBls\fR.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synonym: \fBdir\fR & \fBlist\fR are synonyms for \fBls\fR and \fBrdir\fR
& \fBrlist\fR are synonyms for \fBrls\fR.
.SP
The \fBls\fR and \fBrls\fR commands are used to list
files and directories in the repository.
.SP
By default \fBls\fR lists the files and directories
that belong in your working directory, what would be
there after an \fBupdate\fR.
.SP
By default \fBrls\fR lists the files and directories
on the tip of the trunk in the topmost directory of the
repository.
.SP
Both commands accept an optional list of file and
directory names, relative to the working directory for
\fBls\fR and the topmost directory of the repository
for \fBrls\fR.  Neither is recursive by default.
.SP
.SH "ls & rls options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBls\fR & \fBrls\fR:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d\fR
.IP "" 2
Show dead revisions (with tag when specified).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-e\fR
.IP "" 2
Display in CVS/Entries format.  This format is meant to remain easily parsable
by automation.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Display all details.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-P\fR
.IP "" 2
Don\(aqt list contents of empty directories when recursing.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
List recursively.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Show files specified by \fItag\fR or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  See see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Show files from date.
.SP
.SH "rls examples"
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs rls
.IP "" 2
cvs rls: Listing module: \`.\(aq
.IP "" 2
CVSROOT
.IP "" 2
first-dir

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs rls CVSROOT
.IP "" 2
cvs rls: Listing module: \`CVSROOT\(aq
.IP "" 2
checkoutlist
.IP "" 2
commitinfo
.IP "" 2
config
.IP "" 2
cvswrappers
.IP "" 2
loginfo
.IP "" 2
modules
.IP "" 2
notify
.IP "" 2
rcsinfo
.IP "" 2
taginfo
.IP "" 2
verifymsg
.SP

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "rdiff"
.SS "\(aqpatch\(aq format diffs between releases"
.IX "rdiff (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
rdiff [-flags] [-V vn] (-r tag1[:date1] | -D date1) [-r tag2[:date2] | -D date2] modules\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: nothing.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Synonym: patch
.SP
Builds a Larry Wall format patch(1) file between two
releases, that can be fed directly into the \fBpatch\fR
program to bring an old release up-to-date with the new
release.  (This is one of the few \fBcvs\fR commands that
operates directly from the repository, and doesn\(aqt
require a prior checkout.) The diff output is sent to
the standard output device.
.SP
You can specify (using the standard \fB-r\fR and
\fB-D\fR options) any combination of one or two
revisions or dates.  If only one revision or date is
specified, the patch file reflects differences between
that revision or date and the current head revisions in
the \fBrcs\fR file.
.SP
Note that if the software release affected is contained
in more than one directory, then it may be necessary to
specify the \fB-p\fR option to the \fBpatch\fR command when
patching the old sources, so that \fBpatch\fR is able to find
the files that are located in other directories.
.SP
.SH "rdiff options"
.SP
These standard options are supported by \fBrdiff\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D \fIdate\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
If no matching revision is found, retrieve the most
recent revision (instead of ignoring the file).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIkflag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Process keywords according to \fIkflag\fR.  See
see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; don\(aqt descend subdirectories.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Examine directories recursively.  This option is on by default.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the revision specified by \fItag\fR, or when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  See see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
In addition to the above, these options are available:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-c\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the context diff format.  This is the default format.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-s\fR
.IP "" 2
Create a summary change report instead of a patch.  The
summary includes information about files that were
changed or added between the releases.  It is sent to
the standard output device.  This is useful for finding
out, for example, which files have changed between two
dates or revisions.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-t\fR
.IP "" 2
A diff of the top two revisions is sent to the standard
output device.  This is most useful for seeing what the
last change to a file was.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-u\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the unidiff format for the context diffs.
Remember that old versions
of the \fBpatch\fR program can\(aqt handle the unidiff
format, so if you plan to post this patch to the net
you should probably not use \fB-u\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-V \fIvn\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Expand keywords according to the rules current in
\fBrcs\fR version \fIvn\fR (the expansion format changed with
\fBrcs\fR version 5).  Note that this option is no
longer accepted.  \fBcvs\fR will always expand keywords the
way that \fBrcs\fR version 5 does.
.SP
.SH "rdiff examples"
.SP
Suppose you receive mail from \fRfoo@example.net\fR asking for an
update from release 1.2 to 1.4 of the tc compiler.  You
have no such patches on hand, but with \fBcvs\fR that can
easily be fixed with a command such as this:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs rdiff -c -r FOO1_2 -r FOO1_4 tc | \\
.IP "" 2
$$ Mail -s \(aqThe patches you asked for\(aq foo@example.net

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
Suppose you have made release 1.3, and forked a branch
called \fBR_1_3fix\fR for bug fixes.  \fBR_1_3_1\fR
corresponds to release 1.3.1, which was made some time
ago.  Now, you want to see how much development has been
done on the branch.  This command can be used:
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cvs patch -s -r R_1_3_1 -r R_1_3fix module-name
.IP "" 2
cvs rdiff: Diffing module-name
.IP "" 2
File ChangeLog,v changed from revision 1.52.2.5 to 1.52.2.6
.IP "" 2
File foo.c,v changed from revision 1.52.2.3 to 1.52.2.4
.IP "" 2
File bar.h,v changed from revision 1.29.2.1 to 1.2

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "release"
.SS "Indicate that a Module is no longer in use"
.IX "release (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
release [-d] directories\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: Working directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: Working directory, history log.
.SP
This command is meant to safely cancel the effect of
\fBcvs checkout\fR.  Since \fBcvs\fR doesn\(aqt lock files, it
isn\(aqt strictly necessary to use this command.  You can
always simply delete your working directory, if you
like; but you risk losing changes you may have
forgotten, and you leave no trace in the \fBcvs\fR history
file (see node `history file\(aq in the CVS manual) that you\(aqve abandoned your
checkout.
.SP
Use \fBcvs release\fR to avoid these problems.  This
command checks that no uncommitted changes are
present; that you are executing it from immediately
above a \fBcvs\fR working directory; and that the repository
recorded for your files is the same as the repository
defined in the module database.
.SP
If all these conditions are true, \fBcvs release\fR
leaves a record of its execution (attesting to your
intentionally abandoning your checkout) in the \fBcvs\fR
history log.
.SP
.SH "release options"
.SP
The \fBrelease\fR command supports one command option:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d\fR
.IP "" 2
Delete your working copy of the file if the release
succeeds.  If this flag is not given your files will
remain in your working directory.
.SP
\fBWARNING:  The \fBrelease\fB command deletes
all directories and files recursively.  This
has the very serious side-effect that any directory
that you have created inside your checked-out sources,
and not added to the repository (using the \fBadd\fB
command; see node `Adding files\(aq in the CVS manual) will be silently deleted\(emeven
if it is non-empty!\fR
.SP
.SH "release output"
.SP
Before \fBrelease\fR releases your sources it will
print a one-line message for any file that is not
up-to-date.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBU \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IP "" 0
\fBP \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
There exists a newer revision of this file in the
repository, and you have not modified your local copy
of the file (\fBU\fR and \fBP\fR mean the same thing).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBA \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file has been added to your private copy of the
sources, but has not yet been committed to the
repository.  If you delete your copy of the sources
this file will be lost.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBR \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file has been removed from your private copy of the
sources, but has not yet been removed from the
repository, since you have not yet committed the
removal.  see node `commit\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBM \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file is modified in your working directory.  There
might also be a newer revision inside the repository.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB? \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
\fIfile\fR is in your working directory, but does not
correspond to anything in the source repository, and is
not in the list of files for \fBcvs\fR to ignore (see the
description of the \fB-I\fR option, and
see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual).  If you remove your working
sources, this file will be lost.
.SP
.SH "release examples"
.SP
Release the \fBtc\fR directory, and delete your local working copy
of the files.
.SP
.PD 0
.SP
.IP "" 2
$ cd \&..         # \fRYou must stand immediately above the\fR
.IP "" 2
                # \fRsources when you issue \fBcvs release\fR.\fR
.IP "" 2
$ cvs release -d tc
.IP "" 2
You have [0] altered files in this repository.
.IP "" 2
Are you sure you want to release (and delete) directory \`tc\(aq: y
.IP "" 2
$

.PD
.IP "" 0
.SP
.SH "server & pserver"
.SS "Act as a server for a client on stdin/stdout"
.IX "pserver (subcommand)"
.IX "server (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
pserver [-c path]
.SP
server [-c path]
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository, client conversation on stdin/stdout
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: Repository or, indirectly, client working directory.
.SP
The \fBcvs\fR \fBserver\fR and \fBpserver\fR commands are used to provide
repository access to remote clients and expect a client conversation on
stdin & stdout.  Typically these commands are launched from \fBinetd\fR or
via \fBssh\fR (see node `Remote repositories\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SP
\fBserver\fR expects that the client has already been authenticated somehow,
typically via \fBssh\fR, and \fBpserver\fR attempts to authenticate the client
itself.
.SP
Only one option is available with the \fBserver\fR and \fBpserver\fR
commands:
.SP
.IX "configuration file"
.IP "" 0
\fB-c path\fR
.IP "" 2
Load configuration from \fIpath\fR rather than the default location 
\fB$CVSROOT/CVSROOT/config\fR (see node `config\(aq in the CVS manual).  \fIpath\fR must be
\fB/etc/cvs.conf\fR or prefixed by \fB/etc/cvs/\fR.  This option is
supported beginning with \fBcvs\fR release 1.12.13.
.SP
.SH "update"
.SS "Bring work tree in sync with repository"
.IX "update (subcommand)"
.SP
.IP "\(bu" 2
update [-ACdflPpR] [-I name] [-j rev [-j rev]] [-k kflag] [-r tag[:date] | -D date] [-W spec] files\&...
.IP "\(bu" 2
Requires: repository, working directory.
.IP "\(bu" 2
Changes: working directory.
.SP
After you\(aqve run checkout to create your private copy
of source from the common repository, other developers
will continue changing the central source.  From time
to time, when it is convenient in your development
process, you can use the \fBupdate\fR command from
within your working directory to reconcile your work
with any revisions applied to the source repository
since your last checkout or update.  Without the \fB-C\fR
option, \fBupdate\fR will also merge any differences
between the local copy of files and their base revisions
into any destination revisions specified with \fB-r\fR,
\fB-D\fR, or \fB-A\fR.
.SP
.SH "update options"
.SP
These standard options are available with \fBupdate\fR
(see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual, for a complete description of
them):
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-D date\fR
.IP "" 2
Use the most recent revision no later than \fIdate\fR.
This option is sticky, and implies \fB-P\fR.
See see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-f\fR
.IP "" 2
Only useful with the \fB-D\fR or \fB-r\fR flags.  If no matching revision
is found, retrieve the most recent revision (instead of ignoring the file).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-k \fIkflag\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Process keywords according to \fIkflag\fR.  See
see node `Keyword substitution\(aq in the CVS manual.
This option is sticky; future updates of
this file in this working directory will use the same
\fIkflag\fR.  The \fBstatus\fR command can be viewed
to see the sticky options.  See see node `Invoking CVS\(aq in the CVS manual, for
more information on the \fBstatus\fR command.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-l\fR
.IP "" 2
Local; run only in current working directory.  see node `Recursive behavior\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-P\fR
.IP "" 2
Prune empty directories.  See see node `Moving directories\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-p\fR
.IP "" 2
Pipe files to the standard output.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-R\fR
.IP "" 2
Update directories recursively (default).  see node `Recursive
behavior\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-r \fItag\fB[:\fIdate\fB]\fR
.IP "" 2
Retrieve the revisions specified by \fItag\fR or, when \fIdate\fR is specified
and \fItag\fR is a branch tag, the version from the branch \fItag\fR as it
existed on \fIdate\fR.  This option is sticky, and implies \fB-P\fR.
See see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates. Also
see see node `Common options\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
These special options are also available with
\fBupdate\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-A\fR
.IP "" 2
Reset any sticky tags, dates, or \fB-k\fR options.
See see node `Sticky tags\(aq in the CVS manual, for more information on sticky tags/dates.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-C\fR
.IP "" 2
Overwrite locally modified files with clean copies from
the repository (the modified file is saved in
\fB.#\fIfile\fB.\fIrevision\fB\fR, however).
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-d\fR
.IP "" 2
Create any directories that exist in the repository if
they\(aqre missing from the working directory.  Normally,
\fBupdate\fR acts only on directories and files that
were already enrolled in your working directory.
.SP
This is useful for updating directories that were
created in the repository since the initial checkout;
but it has an unfortunate side effect.  If you
deliberately avoided certain directories in the
repository when you created your working directory
(either through use of a module name or by listing
explicitly the files and directories you wanted on the
command line), then updating with \fB-d\fR will create
those directories, which may not be what you want.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-I \fIname\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Ignore files whose names match \fIname\fR (in your
working directory) during the update.  You can specify
\fB-I\fR more than once on the command line to specify
several files to ignore.  Use \fB-I !\fR to avoid
ignoring any files at all.  see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual, for other
ways to make \fBcvs\fR ignore some files.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-W\fIspec\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Specify file names that should be filtered during
update.  You can use this option repeatedly.
.SP
\fIspec\fR can be a file name pattern of the same type
that you can specify in the \fB.cvswrappers\fR
file. see node `Wrappers\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB-j\fIrevision\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
With two \fB-j\fR options, merge changes from the
revision specified with the first \fB-j\fR option to
the revision specified with the second \fBj\fR option,
into the working directory.
.SP
With one \fB-j\fR option, merge changes from the
ancestor revision to the revision specified with the
\fB-j\fR option, into the working directory.  The
ancestor revision is the common ancestor of the
revision which the working directory is based on, and
the revision specified in the \fB-j\fR option.
.SP
Note that using a single \fB-j \fItagname\fB\fR option rather than
\fB-j \fIbranchname\fB\fR to merge changes from a branch will
often not remove files which were removed on the branch.
see node `Merging adds and removals\(aq in the CVS manual, for more.
.SP
In addition, each \fB-j\fR option can contain an optional
date specification which, when used with branches, can
limit the chosen revision to one within a specific
date.  An optional date is specified by adding a colon
(:) to the tag:
\fB-j\fISymbolic_Tag\fB:\fIDate_Specifier\fB\fR.
.SP
see node `Branching and merging\(aq in the CVS manual.
.SP
.SP
.SH "update output"
.SP
\fBupdate\fR and \fBcheckout\fR keep you informed of
their progress by printing a line for each file, preceded
by one character indicating the status of the file:
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBU \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file was brought up to date with respect to the
repository.  This is done for any file that exists in
the repository but not in your working directory, and for files
that you haven\(aqt changed but are not the most recent
versions available in the repository.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBP \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
Like \fBU\fR, but the \fBcvs\fR server sends a patch instead of an entire
file.  This accomplishes the same thing as \fBU\fR using less bandwidth.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBA \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file has been added to your private copy of the
sources, and will be added to the source repository
when you run \fBcommit\fR on the file.  This is a
reminder to you that the file needs to be committed.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBR \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file has been removed from your private copy of the
sources, and will be removed from the source repository
when you run \fBcommit\fR on the file.  This is a
reminder to you that the file needs to be committed.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBM \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
The file is modified in  your  working  directory.
.SP
\fBM\fR can indicate one of two states for a file
you\(aqre working on: either there were no modifications
to the same file in the repository, so that your file
remains as you last saw it; or there were modifications
in the repository as well as in your copy, but they
were merged successfully, without conflict, in your
working directory.
.SP
\fBcvs\fR will print some messages if it merges your work,
and a backup copy of your working file (as it looked
before you ran \fBupdate\fR) will be made.  The exact
name of that file is printed while \fBupdate\fR runs.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fBC \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
.IX "\&.# files"
.IX "__ files (VMS)"
A conflict was detected while trying to merge your
changes to \fIfile\fR with changes from the source
repository.  \fIfile\fR (the copy in your working
directory) is now the result of attempting to merge
the two revisions; an unmodified copy of your file
is also in your working directory, with the name
\fB.#\fIfile\fB.\fIrevision\fB\fR where \fIrevision\fR
is the revision that your modified file started
from.  Resolve the conflict as described in
see node `Conflicts example\(aq in the CVS manual.
(Note that some systems automatically purge
files that begin with \fB.#\fR if they have not been
accessed for a few days.  If you intend to keep a copy
of your original file, it is a very good idea to rename
it.)  Under \fBvms\fR, the file name starts with
\fB__\fR rather than \fB.#\fR.
.SP
.IP "" 0
\fB? \fIfile\fB\fR
.IP "" 2
\fIfile\fR is in your working directory, but does not
correspond to anything in the source repository, and is
not in the list of files for \fBcvs\fR to ignore (see the
description of the \fB-I\fR option, and
see node `cvsignore\(aq in the CVS manual).
.SH "AUTHORS"
.TP
Dick Grune
Original author of the
.B cvs
shell script version posted to
.B comp.sources.unix
in the volume6 release of December, 1986.
Credited with much of the
.B cvs
conflict resolution algorithms.
.TP
Brian Berliner
Coder and designer of the
.B cvs
program itself in April, 1989, based on the original work done by Dick.
.TP
Jeff Polk
Helped Brian with the design of the
.B cvs
module and vendor branch support and author of the
.BR checkin ( 1 )
shell script (the ancestor of \fBcvs import\fP).
.TP
Larry Jones, Derek R. Price, and Mark D. Baushke
Have helped maintain
.B cvs
for many years.
.TP
And many others too numerous to mention here.
.SH "SEE ALSO"
The most comprehensive manual for CVS is
Version Management with CVS by Per Cederqvist et al.  Depending on
your system, you may be able to get it with the
.B info CVS
command or it may be available as cvs.pdf (Portable Document Format),
cvs.ps (PostScript), cvs.texinfo (Texinfo source), or cvs.html.
.SP
For CVS updates, more information on documentation, software related
to CVS, development of CVS, and more, see:
.in +1i
.SP
.PD 0
.IP "" 4
.B http://www.nongnu.org/cvs/
.in -1i
.SP
.BR ci ( 1 ),
.BR co ( 1 ),
.BR cvs ( 5 ),
.BR cvsbug ( 8 ),
.BR diff ( 1 ),
.BR grep ( 1 ),
.BR patch ( 1 ),
.BR rcs ( 1 ),
.BR rcsdiff ( 1 ),
.BR rcsmerge ( 1 ),
.BR rlog ( 1 ).